Optical connector

ABSTRACT

A connector is disclosed that includes a housing and first and second attachment areas located in the housing and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction of the connector. The second, but not the first, attachment area is designed to move relative to the housing. The connector further includes an optical waveguide that is permanently attached to, and under a first bending force between, the first and second attachment areas. The connector also includes a light coupling unit located in the housing for receiving light from the optical waveguide and transmitting the received light to a mating connector along a direction different than the mating direction of the connector. The mating of the connector to the mating connector causes the optical waveguide to be under a greater second bending force between the first and second attachment areas.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The provided disclosure relates to optical connectors for connectingsets of optical waveguides such as optical fiber ribbons.

BACKGROUND

Optical fiber connectors can be used to connect optical fibers in avariety of applications including: telecommunications networks, localarea networks, data center links, and for internal links in highperformance computers. These connectors can be grouped into single fiberand multiple fiber designs and also grouped by the type of contact.Common contact methods include: physical contact wherein the matingfiber tips are polished to a smooth finish and pressed together; indexmatched, wherein a compliant material with an index of refraction thatis matched to the core of the fiber fills a small gap between the matedfibers' tips; and air gap connectors, wherein the light passes through asmall air gap between the two fiber tips. With each of these contactmethods a small bit of dust on the tips of the mated fibers can greatlyincrease the light loss.

Another type of optical connector is referred to as an expanded beamconnector. This type of connector allows the light beam in the sourceconnector to exit the fiber core and diverge within the connector for ashort distance before the light is collimated to form a beam with adiameter substantially greater than the core. In the receiving connectorthe beam is then focused back to its original diameter on the tip of thereceiving fiber. This type of connector is less sensitive to dust andother forms of contamination that may be present in the region where thebeam is expanded to the larger diameter.

Backplane optical connectors will become essential components ofhigh-performance computers, data centers, and telecom switching systemsin the near future, as line rates of data transmission migrate from thecurrent 10 Gb/sec/line to 25 Gb/sec/line in the next few years. It wouldbe advantageous to provide expanded beam connectors that are lower costand higher performance alternatives to existing optical and copperconnections that are currently being used in the 10 Gb/secinterconnects.

SUMMARY

The provided disclosure relates to optical connectors for connectingsets of optical waveguides, such as optical fiber ribbons, to waveguidesdisposed on printed circuit boards or backplanes. In particular, theprovided connectors utilize expanded beam optics with non-contactoptical mating resulting in relaxed mechanical precision requirements,thus enabling low-cost injection molding and improved resistance to dirtand damage. The provided connectors can have low optical loss, can beeasily scalable to high channel count (optical fibers per connector),can provide safety to the user, and can be compatible with low insertionforce blind mating. The provided connectors have suitability for use forbackplane, front-plane, or mid-span connections.

In one aspect, a connector is provided that includes a housingcomprising a first attachment area for receiving and permanentlyattaching to a plurality of optical waveguides and a light coupling unitdisposed in and configured to move within the housing. The lightcoupling unit includes a second attachment area for receiving andpermanently attaching to a plurality of optical waveguides received andpermanently attached at the first attachment area. The light couplingunit also includes a plurality of curved surfaces, each curved surfacecorresponding to a different optical waveguide in a plurality of opticalwaveguides received and permanently attached at the first and secondattachment areas, the optical waveguide having a first core diameter,the curved surface being configured to change a divergence of light fromthe optical waveguide such that light from the optical waveguide exitsthe connector having a second diameter greater than the first corediameter, the connector being configured so that when the connectormates with a mating connector in a first mating direction, the lightcoupling unit rotates to a different second direction causing theoptical waveguide to bend.

In some embodiments, a provided connector can further include a lightredirecting member that includes an input side for receiving input lightfrom an optical waveguide received and permanently attached to at thefirst and second attachment areas. Additionally, the light redirectingmember includes a light redirecting side for receiving light from theinput side along a first direction and redirecting the received lightalong a different second direction. Finally, the light redirectingmember includes an output side for receiving light from the lightredirecting side and transmitting the received light as output lightalong an exit direction.

In another embodiment, a connector is provided that includes a housingcomprising a first attachment area for receiving and permanentlyattaching to a plurality of optical waveguides, a light coupling unitdisposed in and configured to move within the housing and including asecond attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching to aplurality of optical waveguides received and permanently attached at thefirst attachment area. The provided connector also includes a firstwaveguide alignment member for receiving and aligning the at least onefirst optical waveguide, a first light redirecting member comprising aninput side of the first light redirecting member for receiving inputlight along an input direction of the first light redirecting memberfrom a first optical waveguide disposed and aligned at the firstwaveguide alignment member, a light redirecting side of the first lightredirecting member for receiving light from the input side of the firstlight redirecting member along an input direction and redirecting thelight along a different redirected direction of the first lightredirecting member; and an output side of the first light redirectingmember for receiving light from the light redirecting side of the firstlight redirecting member and transmitting the received light as outputlight exiting the first light redirecting member along an outputdirection of the first light redirecting member toward an input side ofa first light redirecting member of a mating connector, the first lightredirecting member having a greater than one refractive index betweenthe input and output side. The light coupling unit is configured tochange the direction of light from at least one of the plurality ofoptical waveguides such that the light from the optical waveguide exitsthe connector along an output direction different than a matingdirection of the connector, the connector being configured so that whenthe connector mates with a mating connector in a mating direction, thelight coupling unit rotates in a mating direction causing the opticalwaveguide to bend.

The provided connector also includes a second waveguide alignment membervertically offset from the first waveguide alignment member forreceiving and aligning at least one second optical waveguide and asecond light redirecting member vertically offset from the first lightredirecting member and includes an input side of the second lightredirecting member for receiving second input light from a secondoptical waveguide disposed and aligned at the second waveguide alignmentmember, a light redirecting side of the second light redirecting memberfor receiving light from the input side of the second light redirectingmember along the input direction of the second light redirecting memberand redirecting the received light along a redirected direction of thesecond light redirecting member and an output side of the second lightredirecting member for receiving light from the light redirecting sideof the second light redirecting member and transmitting the receivedlight as an output light of the second light redirecting member towardan input side of a light redirecting member of a mating connector.Finally, the provided connector includes first and second registrationfeatures for mating with registration features of a mating connectoralong a connector mating direction different than the output direction.The connector is configured so that when the connector mates with themating connector, the output side of the second light redirecting memberfaces the input side of the second light redirecting member of themating connector.

The provided optical connectors use expanded beam optics withnon-contact mating that can result in relaxed mechanical fabricationrequirements. This can, in turn, enable the use of processes such aslow-cost injection molding and can result in connectors that haveimproved resistance to dirt and contamination. The provided connectorscan have low optical loss, typically less than 1.0 dB per matedconnector pair. Additionally, the provided connector can be easily andeconomically scaled to have 256 or more connected optical waveguides.The provided connectors have a low insertion force, blind mating and aresuitable for high speed backplane, front-plane, or mid-span connections.

The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodimentor every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and thedetailed description below more particularly exemplify illustrativeembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout the specification reference is made to the appended drawings,where like reference numerals designate like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a provided connector.

FIG. 1 b is the same perspective view as in FIG. 1 b with the housingremoved.

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of an optical waveguide alignment memberand a light redirecting member, and FIG. 2 b is a portion of what isshown in FIG. 2 a.

FIGS. 3 a-b are perspective views of two provided connectors matedtogether.

FIGS. 4 a-b are cutaway side views of the connector shown in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 5 a is a side view of an embodiment of two identical mated rightangle connectors with the housing removed.

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 5 c is a side view of FIGS. 5 a and 5 b showing the spatialrelationship of the two mated fibers.

FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of a straight-through connector.

FIG. 7 is a view of an embodiment of an array of connectors.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary light redirecting member of aprovided connector.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a cross-section of an embodiment ofvertically-staggered optical waveguides at the input face of the lightredirecting member.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in thefigures refer to like components. However, it will be understood thatthe use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is notintended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the samenumber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The optical cables used in many applications make use of fiber ribbons.These ribbons are comprised of a set of coated fibers joined together ina line (typically 4, 8 or 12 fibers in a line). The individual glassfibers with their protective coatings are typically 250 microns indiameter and the ribbons typically have a fiber to fiber pitch of 250microns. This 250 micron spacing has also been used in opticaltransceivers with a variety of designs spacing the active opticaldevices at the same 250 micron spacing.

Currently available expanded beam multiple fiber connectors typicallylimit the beam diameter to 250 microns to match the ribbon pitch. Inorder to achieve a beam diameter greater than the fiber pitch, currentconnectors require the fiber ribbon to be manually split into singlefibers before mounting the fibers on the connector.

In general, single fiber optical connectors can include a precisioncylindrical ferrule for aligning and contacting optical fiber end faceswith each other. The optical fiber can be secured in the central bore ofthe ferrule so that the fiber's optical core can be centered on theferrule axis. The fiber tip can then be polished to allow physicalcontact of the fiber core. Two such ferrules can then be aligned witheach other using an alignment sleeve with the polished fiber tipspressed against each other to achieve a physical contact opticalconnection from one fiber to another. Physical contact opticalconnectors are widely used.

Multiple fiber connectors often use a multiple fiber ferrule such as theMT ferrule to provide optical coupling from the source fibers to thereceive fibers. The MT ferrule can guide the fibers in an array ofmolded bores to which the fibers are typically bonded. Each ferrule canhave two additional bores in which guide pins are located to align theferrules to each other and thus align the mated fibers.

A variety of other methods have also been used to make fiber to fiberconnections. Included are V-groove alignment systems and bare fiberalignment in an array of precise bores. Some such connecting conceptsmake use of lenses and or reflecting surfaces in optical fiberconnections. Each of these connecting concepts describes single purposeconnection systems, such as an in line connector or a right angleconnector.

Optical fiber interconnects such as multiple fiber connectors are usefulfor connecting optical waveguides to waveguides disposed on printedcircuit boards (PCBs) and in backplane optical interconnect products.Expanded beam connectors have been disclosed that can terminate fiberribbons without separating individual fibers and also can provide a beamwith a diameter greater than the fiber-to-fiber pitch. These expandedbeam optical connectors have non-contact optical mating and can requireless mechanical precision than conventional optical connectors.

Novel optical interconnect coupling constructions (optical couplers oroptical connectors) are provided that can be used to connect one or moreoptical waveguides, or a ribbon of optical waveguides to another set ofoptical waveguides or one or more ribbons of optical waveguides. In someembodiments, the waveguides can be optical fibers. The providedconnectors can also be used to connect one or more optical waveguides,or ribbons of optical waveguides to waveguides disposed on or in printedcircuit boards or backplanes. The provided connectors include expandedbeam optics with non-contact optical mating to provide relaxedmechanical precision requirements for their construction, thus enablinglow-cost injection molding and improved resistance to dirt. The providedconnectors can have low optical loss, can be easily scalable to highchannel count (optical fibers per connector), can provide safety to theuser, and can be compatible with low insertion force blind mating. Theprovided connectors have suitability for use for backplane, front-plane,or mid-span connections.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that forms a part hereof and in which are shown by way ofillustration. It is to be understood that other embodiments arecontemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spiritof the present disclosure. The following detailed description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes,amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claimsare to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term“about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numericalparameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claimsare approximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing theteachings disclosed herein.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having pluralreferents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used inthis specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generallyemployed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearlydictates otherwise.

Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, “lower,” “upper,”“beneath,” “below,” “above,” and “on top,” if used herein, are utilizedfor ease of description to describe spatial relationships of anelement(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theparticular orientations depicted in the figures and described herein.For example, if an object depicted in the figures is turned over orflipped over, portions previously described as below or beneath otherelements would then be above those other elements.

As used herein, when an element, component or layer for example isdescribed as forming a “coincident interface” with, or being “on”,“connected to,” “coupled with”, or “in contact with”, or “adjacent to”another element, component or layer, it can be directly on, directlyconnected to, directly coupled with, in direct contact with, orintervening elements, components or layers may be on, connected, coupledor in contact with the particular element, component or layer, forexample. When an element, component or layer for example is referred toas begin “directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupledwith,” or “directly in contact with” another element, there are nointervening elements, components or layers for example.

The provided connector can be understood, but should not be limited by,the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 a . FIG. 1 a shows connector 100that is an embodiment of a provided parallel expanded beam opticalconnector. In FIG. 1 a , connector 100 includes housing 110 which hasfirst attachment area 102. First attachment area 102 is the part ofhousing 110 where one or more optical waveguides, such as plurality ofoptical waveguides 104 (ribbon of optical waveguides 104) shown in FIG.1 a first contacts housing 110 and, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a, passes through via holes 106 into the interior of housing 110. One ormore optical waveguides 104 can be received and permanently attached tohousing 110 where they contact housing 110 in via holes 106 and wherethey pass over, but are not permanently attached to, first waveguidesupport 109. Second attachment area 108 includes a plurality ofwaveguide alignment members 114. Waveguide alignment members 114 can beconfigured to accommodate a different optical waveguide in plurality ofoptical waveguides 104 received and permanently attached to at firstattachment area 102. In some embodiments, the optical waveguide can bebonded to first attachment area 102 at via hole 106. The firstattachment area can include a plurality of grooves (not shown in FIGS. 1a-b , but shown in FIGS. 2 a-b ), each groove being configured toaccommodate a different optical waveguide in a plurality of waveguidesreceived and permanently attached at the first attachment area. Theindividual optical waveguides can be attached to the first attachmentarea at a corresponding via hole 106. Provided connector 100 alsoincludes light coupling unit 120 that is the part of connector 100 thatcan mate with another connector attached to another device such as asecond provided optical connector which may stand alone or be located ona printed circuit board or backplane.

In some embodiments, the housing can include first waveguide support 109disposed between the first attachment area 106 and second attachmentarea 108 for supporting, but not being permanently attached to, anoptical waveguide received and permanently attached to at the first andsecond attachment areas. The housing can also include second waveguidesupport 117 disposed between first waveguide support 109 and the firstattachment area 102 for supporting, but not being permanently attachedto, an optical waveguide received and permanently attached to at thefirst and second attachment areas, such that when the connector mateswith a mating connector, the optical waveguide further bends causing theoptical waveguide to separate from the second support. In someembodiments, an optical waveguide that is permanently attached at thefirst and second attachment areas can be bent between the two attachmentareas (first and second attachment areas) in a plane formed by themating direction and the direction of light exit (output direction) fromthe light coupling unit. In some embodiments, an optical waveguidepermanently attached at the first and second attachment areas can bebent between the two attachment areas in a plane perpendicular to anaxis around which the optical coupling unit rotates during mating. Insome embodiments, an optical waveguide that is permanently attached tothe first and second attachment areas can be bent in a bend directionthat lies in a plane parallel to a plane defined by the rotation of theoptical coupling unit.

Light coupling unit 120 also includes mechanical mating tongue portion116, interlocking mechanism 118, and second attachment area 108. Thetongue portion 116 has a tapering width along at least a portion of thelength of the tongue portion and extends outwardly from the lightcoupling unit. When the connector 100 moves toward a mating connector300′ (shown in FIG. 3 a ), the tongue portion is guided in acorresponding tongue recess 30 of the mating connector in such a waythat a misalignment, such as a lateral misalignment, between the twoconnectors is corrected. In some cases, when the connector moves towardthe mating connector, the first contact between the connector and themating connector is between the tongue portion of the connector and thetongue recess of the mating connector.

These features are more easily seen in FIG. 1 b where housing 110 hasbeen removed for a clearer view. Second attachment area 108 includesplurality of V-grooves 114 each groove being configured to accommodate adifferent optical waveguide in a plurality of optical waveguidesreceived and permanently attached to at the first attachment area, theoptical waveguide being bonded to the second attachment area at thegroove. In some embodiments, the second attachment area can permanentlyattach to a plurality of optical waveguides received and permanentlyattached to at the first attachment area. In some embodiments, theoptical waveguides are attached at the first attachment area, the secondattachment area, or both, using an adhesive. In cases where the opticalwaveguides are optical fibers, the fiber attachment areas may consist ofcylindrical holes into which the fibers are bonded. Also in cases wherethe waveguides are optical fibers, the polymer buffer layer on the fibermay be bonded to a buffer attachment area 123 adjacent to the area 108where the bare fiber is bonded, in order to enhance the mechanicalstrength of the assembly. In such cases, the connector includes a firstattachment area 106, a second attachment area 108 and a third attachmentarea 123.

In some embodiments, a connector is provided wherein an opticalwaveguide received and permanently attached to the first and secondattachment areas can be bent between the two attachment areas andwherein when the connector mates with a mating connector, the lightcoupling unit rotates causing the optical waveguide to bend further. Inother embodiments, a connector is provided wherein the light couplingunit can rotate about an axis that changes position as the lightcoupling unit rotates. In some embodiments, when the light coupling unitrotates it can also move linearly. In some embodiments, a connector isprovided that is configured so that when the connector mates with amating connector, the light coupling unit can rotate within the housingby making contact with a corresponding light coupling unit of the matingconnector. In some embodiments wherein the light coupling unit rotates,the corresponding light coupling unit of the mating connector may notsubstantially move. In other embodiments, the provided connector isconfigured so that when the connector mates with the mating connector,the light coupling unit in each connector can rotate. In someembodiments, when the provided connector mates with a mating connector,optical waveguides of the two connectors can lie in a same plane. Insome embodiments, when the provided connector has a first plurality ofoptical waveguides attached thereto mates with a mating connector havinga second plurality of optical waveguides attached thereto, the first andsecond pluralities of optical waveguides can lie in the same plane. Insome embodiments, when the provided connector has a first plurality ofoptical waveguides attached thereto mates with a mating connector havinga second plurality of optical waveguides attached thereto, the firstplurality of optical waveguides can lie in a first plane and the secondplurality of optical waveguides can lie in a second plane that isparallel to and offset form the first plane.

In some embodiments, the second attachment area of a provided connectorcan be disposed between the first attachment area and the plurality ofcurved surfaces. In some embodiments, when an optical waveguide isreceived and permanently attached to at the first and second attachmentareas, the optical waveguide can be under a first bending force and whenthe connector mates with a mating connector, the optical waveguide canbe under a second bending force greater than the first bending force. Insome embodiments, the first bending force can be substantially zero.

In some embodiments, a connector is provided wherein the light from theoptical waveguide can exit the connector in an exit direction that isdifferent than the mating direction. In some embodiments, a connector isprovided that can have an optical waveguide permanently attached at thefirst and second attachment areas that can be bent between the twoattachment areas in a plane formed by the mating and light exitdirections. In some embodiments, a connector is provided that can beconfigured to receive a plurality of optical waveguides, each waveguidecomprising an optical fiber. In some embodiments, the light couplingunit can be a unitary construction meaning that the light coupling unitdoes not have any internal interfaces, joints, or seams. In some cases,a unitary structure or construction is capable of being formed in asingle forming step such as machining, casting or molding.

Light coupling unit 120 is configured so as to be able to move withinhousing 110. This facilitates proper alignment of light coupling unit120 with an additional coupler (typically a coupler with substantiallyidentical features) as will be shown in subsequent drawings. In somecases, the plurality of optical waveguides 104 are bent between firstattachment area 102 and second attachment area 108. In some embodiments,the optical waveguides can be bent between the two attachment areas in aplane formed by the mating direction, described above and an exitdirection defined as the direction of the optical waveguides when theyare received and permanently affixed to the second attachment area.During mating with another mating connector, the second attachment areathat includes the light coupling unit can move with the housing and cancause the optical waveguide to further bend with a first additional bendresulting in the optical waveguide separating from the second support.As the two mating connectors further engage (for example, in order tocause mechanical interlocking) a second additional bend can result thatcauses the optical waveguide to separate from the first support. Themovement of the light coupling unit can cause the light coupling unit tomake contact with a corresponding light coupling unit of the matingconnector. This is further illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 . In someembodiments, as the connectors engage, the light coupling unit can movewith the housing along at least two mutually orthogonal directions. Insome embodiments, during mating of two provided connectors, the lightcoupling unit in each connector can move. In some embodiments, the twooptical connectors can lie in the same plane. In some embodiments, wherethe connectors have a plurality of optical waveguides, the first andsecond plurality of optical waveguides can lie in a same plane. In someembodiments, the first plurality of optical waveguides lie in a firstplane and the second plurality of optical waveguides can lie in a secondplane that is parallel to and offset from the first plane. In someembodiments, the second attachment area can be disposed between thefirst attachment area and the plurality of curved surfaces. In someembodiments, each optical waveguide of the connector can be under afirst compressive force and, when the connector is mated, the opticalwaveguide can be under a second compressive force greater than the firstcompressive force. In some embodiments, the first compressive force onthe first optical waveguide can be substantially zero.

In some embodiments, a connector is provided where the light couplingunit can include a light redirecting member. The light redirectingmember can have an input side for receiving input light from an opticalwaveguide received and permanently attached to at the first and secondattachment area. The light redirecting member can also have a lightredirecting side for receiving light from the input side in a seconddirection and redirecting the received light in a different thirddirection. The light redirecting member can also have an output side forreceiving light from the light redirecting side and transmitting thereceived light as output light. In some embodiments, the lightredirecting member can have a same greater than one index of refractionbetween the input and output sides. In some embodiments, each curvedsurface in the plurality of curved surfaces can be disposed on the inputside, the light redirecting side, or the output side of the lightredirecting member. In some embodiments, the light redirecting memberand the plurality of curved surfaces can form a unitary construction. Insome embodiments, the second direction can be different than the matingdirection. In some embodiments, the third direction can be differentfrom the mating direction.

In the embodiments shown in the provided figures, the plurality of lightredirecting members can be more complex and can include, for example, anoptical element that has an input side for receiving input light from anoptical waveguide and a light redirecting side for receiving light fromthe input side along a first direction defined by the optical waveguidesin the v-grooves. The light redirecting members can redirect thereceived input light along a different second direction. The lightredirecting members can also include an output side for receiving lightfrom the light redirecting side and transmitting the received light asoutput light along the exit direction.

FIGS. 2 a-b are cutaway views of a portion of a provided connectorassembly focusing on the first waveguide alignment member and lightredirecting member. FIG. 2 a , is a cut-away perspective view of thelight coupling unit 220 and light redirecting member 212 of the providedconnector illustrating the attachment of several optical fibers 204 tolight coupling unit 220. Optical fibers 204 are aligned in grooves 214,typically V-grooves, to which they are permanently attached. The exitend of optical fibers 204 is situated so as to be able to direct lightemanating from the optical fiber into the input side 222 or face oflight redirecting member 212. Light redirecting member 212 includes anarray of light redirecting elements 213, at least one for each opticalfiber attached to light coupling unit 220. Typically, the lightredirecting element 213 includes a prism. Light redirecting member 212includes an array of light redirecting elements 213, one for eachoptical waveguide of plurality of optical waveguides (optical fibers)204 to be joined the provided connector.

FIG. 2 b is a cutaway view of a portion of a provided connector thatincludes just one light directing element 213, one first waveguidealignment member, e.g V-groove 214, and one optical fiber 204. In thisillustration, optical fiber 204 is aligned in V-groove 214 and may bepermanently attached to it. At the point of attachment, the fiber bufferand protective coating (if any) have been stripped away to allow onlythe bare optical fiber to lie aligned and permanently affixed toV-groove 214. Light redirecting element 213 includes light input side222 for receiving input light from first optical waveguide (opticalfiber) 204 disposed and aligned at first waveguide alignment member 214.Light redirecting element 213 also includes light redirecting side 224for receiving light from the input side along an input direction andredirecting the received light along a different redirected direction.The light redirecting element also includes output side 226 thatreceives light from light redirecting side 224 of light redirectingelement 213 and transmits the received light as output light along anoutput direction toward an input side of a first light redirectingmember of a mating connector (not shown in FIG. 2 b but shown in FIG. 3). In some cases, at least one of the input side, light redirectingside, and the output side includes includes one or more curved surfacesfor changing a divergence of light that exits optical waveguide 204. Insome embodiments, such as when a curved surface is part of the lightredirecting side 224, the curved surfaces can be part of a curved mirroror a light reflecting lens. In some embodiments, such as when the curvedsurfaces are part of the output side 226, the curved surfaces can belight transmitting lenses. In some embodiments, each curved surface inthe plurality of curved surfaces can be configured to collimate lightfrom an optical waveguide corresponding to the curved surface. When theconnector mates with a mating connector, it is configured so that theoutput side of the first light redirecting member 226 faces the inputside of the first light redirecting member of the mating connector andthe first and second registration features of the connector (not shownin FIG. 2 b but shown in FIG. 1 ) mate with the registration features ofa mating connector. In some embodiments, a provided first connector canbe configured to mate with a provided second connector. When a providedfirst connector is configured to mate with a provided second connector,the first and second connector can be so oriented relative to each otherthat the first and second registration features of the first connectormate with the respective second and first registrations features of thesecond connector. In some embodiments, when a provided connector mateswith a mating connector, light from each first optical waveguidedisposed and aligned at the connector can be coupled to a correspondingoptical waveguide disposed and aligned at the mating connector. In someembodiments, when a provided connector mates with a mating connector,segments of the optical waveguides of the provided connector and themating connector that are attached to the respective second attachmentareas of the respective optical coupling units can lie in a same plane.In some embodiments, the connector can have a first plurality of opticalwaveguides attached to a first optical coupling unit. When the connectormates with a mating connector having a second plurality of opticalwaveguides attached to a second optical coupling unit, the segments ofthe first and second pluralities of optical waveguides attached to thecoupling units can lie in a same plane. In some embodiments, theconnector having a first plurality of optical waveguides attached to afirst optical coupling unit can mate with a mating connector having asecond plurality of optical waveguides attached to a second opticalcoupling unit, the segments of the first plurality of optical waveguidesattached to the first optical coupling unit lie in a first plane and thesecond plurality of optical waveguides attached to the second opticalcoupling unit lie in a second plane that is parallel to and offset fromthe first plane.

Referring to FIGS. 2 a-b , each waveguide of plurality of opticalwaveguides 204 is received and permanently attached to an individualV-groove 214 in second attachment area 208. In some embodiments, thelight coupling unit can be a unitary construction. Light coupling unit220 includes a plurality of light redirecting members 212.

Second attachment area 208 is arranged so that light emanating from eachof the plurality of optical waveguides impinges on a corresponding inputsurface of the plurality of light redirection elements, then impinges ona corresponding light redirecting side 224 which in some embodiments caninclude a curved surface. Each optical waveguide of plurality of opticalwaveguides 204 has a first core diameter. The corresponding curvedsurface for each individual optical waveguide is configured so as tochange a divergence of light from the individual optical waveguide suchthat light emanating from the individual optical waveguide exits theconnector propagating along an exit direction that is different from themating direction of the connector. The emanating light has a seconddiameter greater than the first core diameter due to the interaction ofthe light with the curved surface. In some embodiments, the ratio of thesecond diameter to the first core diameter can be at least 2, at least3.7, or even at least 5.

In some embodiments, a connector can be provided in which the firstlight redirecting member can have a same greater than one index ofrefraction between the input and the output sides.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are perspective views of two connectors embodied inFIGS. 1 a and 1 b mated together. In the illustrated embodiment, the twomated connectors include first connector 300 (shown as positioned inFIG. 1 a ) and first mating connector 300′ that is oriented upside downand reversed right to left from first connector 300. The two connectorsare in a mated configuration. First connector 300 and first matingconnector 300′ are mechanically interlocked with mechanical couplingmembers (not shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b , but shown in FIG. 1 b ). Themating direction for first connector 300 is different than the matingdirection of first mating connector 300′. In the illustrated embodiment,the angle between the two mating directions is 180 degrees. This type ofconnector is known as a straight-through connector. However, it isenvisioned that this is not a limitation on the provided couplers andthat the angle between the two mating directions could be any angleother than 0 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle between the twoconnectors can be, for example, 90 degrees—a right-angled coupler. Insome cases, the two connectors may not be identical in shape so that canmate in non-linear directions.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are cutaway side views of the connector illustrated inFIG. 1 b (without the housing shown) with only one optical waveguide ofthe plurality of optical waveguides shown for illustration purposes.Optical waveguide 404 resides in V-grooves and is received andpermanently attached to second attachment area 408. Light emanating fromthe end of optical waveguide 404 is coupled into light redirectingelement 413. Light redirecting element 413 includes light redirectingsurface 442 that, in the illustrated embodiment, is a curved lightreflecting mirror or lens. The light beam the light redirecting elementfrom the optical waveguide 404 expands in diameter as it propagates unitit is reflected by surface 442. FIG. 4 a shows the optical waveguides asbeing bent before entering second attachment area 408. This has beendiscussed above. Mechanical coupling member 418 and mating tongue 420are used to guide, link, and position two mated couplers.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are illustrations of two mated right angle connectorssuch as those shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b with the housing removed forillustrative purposes. FIG. 5 a is a side view and FIG. 5 b is aperspective view of the mated connectors. In the illustration the twoconnectors are mechanically coupled as shown. In some embodiments, whenthe connector mates with a mating connector, the light coupling unit canrotate at least 0.5 degrees. In other embodiments, when the connectormates with a mating connector, the light coupling unit can rotate atleast 2.0 degrees. In some embodiments, when the connector mates with amating connector, the light coupling unit can rotate at most 90 degrees.

FIG. 5 c illustrates the spatial positioning of the two respective lightredirecting members in mated position. Light redirecting element 513, inthis embodiment, includes input side 530 for receiving light fromoptical waveguide 504, light redirecting side 542 (that includes acurved surface), and output side 532 where an expanded and redirectedbeam emanates from the light redirecting member at an average angle ofabout 90 degrees from the entrance angle. However, since the beam may bedivergent or convergent after being redirected from the lightredirecting side, the angle only averages about 90 degrees when it exitsthe light redirecting member. In some embodiments, the light redirectingmember has a same greater than one index of refraction between the inputand output sides. The light redirecting member from the second connectoris positioned, in this illustration, below the light redirecting memberfrom the first connector so as to capture a majority of the light beamemanating from the first light redirecting member. The light emanatingfrom the first light redirecting member can travel through air before itis captured by the light redirecting member from the second connector.In some embodiments, each curved surface in the plurality of curvedsurfaces can be disposed on the input side, the light redirecting side,or the output side of the light redirecting member. As one of ordinaryskill in the art will understand, the curved surface of the secondconnector can capture the divergent and redirected light beam, focus itand again redirect it into the optical waveguides affixed to the secondconnector using the same principles just described.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a provided straight through first lightcoupling unit 620 of first connector 600 and mated first light couplingunit 620′ of first mated connector 600′ where the angle between theinput light beam direction and the output light beam direction is about180 degrees. First light coupling unit 620 has first optical waveguide604 received and permanently attached to first light coupling unit 620at second attachment area 608 of first optical waveguide 604. Firstconnector 600 and first mated connector 600′ include connector bodiesthat include housings as described in previous embodiments. They are notshown in FIG. 6 so that the positions of the couplers during mating canbe seen. Additionally, first connector 600 and first mated connector600′ include stops 617 and 617′ to prevent the light redirecting membersfrom the connector and the mating connector from colliding. Light iscoupled from first light coupling unit 620 into first light redirectingmember 614. First light redirecting member 614 is typically a lens thatcan direct the light passing through it to diverge, focus, or collimate.The first attachment area for first connector 600 is not shown and is tothe left as shown in the drawing before the bend in first opticalwaveguide 604. Typically, the first attachment area may be a framemember of a housing in which first connector 600 resides. Analogously,first light coupling unit 620′ of first mating connector 600′ has firstoptical waveguide 604′ received and permanently attached to first lightcoupling unit 620′ at second attachment area 608′ of first opticalwaveguide 604′.

In the embodiment of a provided straight through connector as shown inFIG. 6 , first light coupling unit 620 of first connector 600 and matedfirst light coupling unit 620′ of first mated connector 600′ canapproach each other in the mating direction as shown in the drawing.During the actual mating process, the connectors are caused to approachone another along the mating direction until the mating connector endsup in the position shown by the dotted lines wherein there is contactbetween two flat portions at contact points 616 and 616′. Then firstlight coupling unit 620 of first connector 600 and light coupling unitof first mating connector 600′ can be made to slide so that the distancebetween first light redirecting member 614 and mating light redirectingmember 614′ is at an optimum mating position for proper light couplingbetween the two connectors. In some cases, such as in the exemplary caseshown in FIG. 6 , when the connector 600 mates with the mating connector600′, segments of the optical waveguides of the two connectors which areattached to the respective second attachment areas 608 and 608′ of theoptical coupling units lie in the same plane. Similarly, when theconnector 600 having a first plurality of optical waveguides 604attached to the light coupling unit 620 mates with the mating connector600′ having a second plurality of optical waveguides 604′ attached tothe light coupling unit 620′, the segments of the first and secondpluralities of optical waveguides that are attached to the first andsecond coupling units lie in the same plane.

Also provided is an array of provided connectors. As illustrated in FIG.7 , it is contemplated that a linear array of connectors can be createdwith a housing that can mount a plurality of provided connectors. Thefirst attachment area can be part of the housing itself. FIG. 7 is adrawing of a 4×4 array of provided connectors each having 16 opticalwaveguides attached thereto. Other arrays are within the scope of thisdisclosure including, for example,

1×16 arrays of provided connectors each having 16 optical waveguidesattached thereto.

In some embodiments, a provided connector can a include first waveguidealignment member for receiving and aligning at least one first opticalwaveguide, a first light redirecting member that includes an input sidefor receiving input light from a first optical waveguide disposed andaligned at the first waveguide alignment member, a light redirectingside for receiving light from the input side along a first direction andredirecting the received light along a different second direction, andan output side for receiving light from the light redirecting side andtransmitting the received light as output light toward an input side ofa first light redirecting member of a mating connector. The connectorcan be configured so that when the connector mates with the matingconnector, the first and second registration features mate with orengage registration features of the mating connector resulting in theoutput side of the first light redirecting member facing the input sideof the first light redirecting member of the mating connector.

In other embodiments, the provided connector can further include asecond waveguide alignment member vertically offset from the firstwaveguide alignment member for receiving and aligning at least onesecond optical waveguide, and a second light redirecting membervertically offset from the first light redirecting member. The secondlight redirecting member can include an input side for receiving inputlight from a second optical waveguide disposed and aligned at the secondwaveguide alignment member, a light redirecting side for receiving lightfrom the input side along the first direction and redirecting thereceived light along the second direction, and an output side forreceiving light from the light redirecting side and transmitting thereceived light as output light toward an input side of a second lightredirecting member of a mating connector, the connector being configuredso that when the connector mates with the mating connector, the outputside of the second light redirecting member faces the input side of thesecond light redirecting member of the mating connector. In someembodiments, the provided connector can be configured to receive the atleast one first optical waveguide and the at least one second opticalwaveguide from a same optical cable. In some embodiments the providedconnector can be configured to receive the at least one first opticalwaveguide from a first optical cable and the at least one second opticalwaveguide from a different second optical cable. In some embodiments, aconnector is provided where the second waveguide alignment member andthe second light redirecting member can be vertically offset in a samedirection from the first waveguide alignment member and the first lightredirecting member. In some embodiments, the provided connector caninclude an insulative housing, the first and second waveguide alignmentmembers, the first and second light redirecting members, and theinsulative housing being a unitary construction. In some embodiments,the provided connector can include a first light block vertically offsetfrom a second light block, so that when the connector is not mated witha mating connector, light exiting the output side of the first lightredirecting member can be blocked by the first light block and lightexiting the output side of the second light redirecting member can beblocked by the second light block. Also provided is a connector whereinthe first waveguide alignment member includes a first plurality ofwaveguide alignment elements and the second waveguide alignment memberincludes a second plurality of waveguide alignment elements, eachwaveguide alignment element in the first plurality of waveguidealignment elements being configured to receive and align a differentfirst optical waveguide, each waveguide alignment element in the secondplurality of waveguide alignment elements being configured to receiveand align a different second optical waveguide, each waveguide alignmentelement in the first plurality of waveguide alignment elements beingvertically and horizontally offset from each waveguide alignment elementin the second plurality of waveguide alignment elements. In someembodiments, a connector is provided wherein the first light redirectingmember can include a first plurality of light redirecting elements andthe second light redirecting member can include a second plurality oflight redirecting elements, each light redirecting element in the firstplurality of light redirecting elements corresponding to a differentfirst optical waveguide received and aligned at the first waveguidealignment member, each light redirecting element in the second pluralityof light redirecting elements corresponding to a different secondoptical waveguide received and aligned at the second waveguide alignmentmember, each light redirecting element in the first plurality of lightredirecting elements being vertically and horizontally offset from eachlight redirecting element in the second plurality of light redirectingelements.

In other embodiments, the provided connector further includes a secondwaveguide alignment member vertically offset from the first waveguidealignment member for receiving and aligning at least one second opticalwaveguide. The input side of the first light redirecting member caninput light from a first optical waveguide disposed and aligned at thefirst waveguide alignment member at a first location on the input side,and a second optical waveguide disposed and aligned at the secondwaveguide alignment member at a different second location on the inputside, the second location being vertically offset from the firstlocation. The light redirecting side of the first light redirectingmember can receive light from the first location on the input side at afirst location on the light redirecting side, and the second location onthe input side at a different second location on the light redirectingside. The output side of the first light redirecting member can receivelight from the first location on the light redirecting side and cantransmit the received light as output light from a first location on theoutput side, and the second location on the light redirecting side andtransmits the received light as output light from a different secondlocation on the output side. In some embodiments for the providedconnector, the second location on the input side can be verticallyoffset from the first location on the input side. In some embodiments,the second location on the light redirecting side can be vertically andhorizontally offset from the first location on the light redirectingside. In other embodiments, the second location on the output side canbe horizontally offset from the first location on the output side. Alsoprovided is a connector that has the light redirecting side of the firstlight redirecting member including features at at least one of the firstand second locations on the light redirecting side so that the outputlights from the first and second locations on the output side can besubstantially collimated, have a same divergence angle, or have a sameconvergence angle. The provided connector can feature V-grooves.

In some embodiments, provided connectors can include a housingcomprising a first attachment area for receiving and permanentlyattaching to a plurality of optical waveguides and a light coupling unitdisposed in and configured to move within the housing. The lightcoupling unit can include a second attachment area for receiving andpermanently attaching to a plurality of optical waveguides received andpermanently attached at the first attachment area and a first waveguidealignment member for receiving and aligning the at least one firstoptical waveguide. The provided connector can also include a first lightredirecting member that includes an input side of the first lightredirecting member for receiving input light along an input direction ofthe first light redirecting member from a first optical waveguidedisposed and aligned at the first waveguide alignment member, a lightredirecting side of the first light redirecting member for receivinglight from the input side of the first light redirecting member along aninput direction and redirecting the light along a different redirecteddirection of the first light redirecting member, and an output side ofthe first light redirecting member for receiving light from the lightredirecting side of the first light redirecting member and transmittingthe received light as output light from the first light redirectingmember, exiting the first light redirecting member along an outputdirection of the first light redirecting member toward an input side ofa second light redirecting member of a mating connector. The first lightredirecting member can have a greater than one refractive index betweenthe input and output side. The light coupling unit can be configured tochange a divergence of light from at least one of the plurality ofoptical waveguides such that the light from the optical waveguide exitsthe connector along an output direction different than a matingdirection of the connector, the connector being configured so that whenthe connector mates with a mating connector in a mating direction, thelight coupling unit rotates in a mating direction causing the opticalwaveguide to bend. The provided connector can have a second waveguidealignment member vertically offset from the first waveguide alignmentmember for receiving and aligning at least one second optical waveguideand a second light redirecting member vertically offset from the firstlight redirecting member. The second light redirecting member caninclude an input side of the second light redirecting member forreceiving second input light from a second optical waveguide disposedand aligned at the second waveguide alignment member, a lightredirecting side of the second light redirecting member for receivinglight from the input side of the second light redirecting member alongthe input direction of the second light redirecting member andredirecting the received light along a redirected direction of thesecond light redirecting member, and an output side of the second lightredirecting member for receiving light from the light redirecting sideof the second light redirecting member and transmitting the receivedlight as a output light of the second light redirecting member toward aninput side of a light redirecting member of a mating connector. Theprovided connector can also have first and second registration featuresfor mating with registration features of a mating connector along aconnector mating direction different than the output direction of thefirst light redirecting element. The connector can be configured so thatwhen the connector mates with the mating connector, the output side ofthe second light redirecting member faces the input side of the secondlight redirecting member of the mating connector.

In some embodiments, the second waveguide alignment member and thesecond light redirecting member can be vertically offset in a samedirection from the first waveguide alignment member and the first lightredirecting member. In some embodiments, the provided connector caninclude the first and second waveguide alignment members, the first andsecond light redirecting members, and the registration features being aunitary construction. In some embodiments, the provided connector caninclude a first light block vertically offset from a second light block,so that when the connector is not mated with a mating connector, lightexiting the output side of the first light redirecting member is blockedby the first light block and light exiting the output side of the secondlight redirecting member is blocked by the second light block. In someembodiments, the first waveguide alignment member can include a firstplurality of waveguide alignment elements and the second waveguidealignment member can include a second plurality of waveguide alignmentelements, each waveguide alignment element in the first plurality ofwaveguide alignment elements being configured to receive and align adifferent first optical waveguide, each waveguide alignment element inthe second plurality of waveguide alignment elements being configured toreceive and align a different second optical waveguide, each waveguidealignment element in the first plurality of waveguide alignment elementsbeing vertically and horizontally offset from each waveguide alignmentelement in the second plurality of waveguide alignment elements. In someembodiments of the provided connector, the first light redirectingmember can include a first plurality of light redirecting elements andthe second light redirecting member can include a second plurality oflight redirecting elements, each light redirecting element in the firstplurality of light redirecting elements corresponding to a differentfirst optical waveguide received and aligned at the first waveguidealignment member, each light redirecting element in the second pluralityof light redirecting elements corresponding to a different secondoptical waveguide received and aligned at the second waveguide alignmentmember, each light redirecting element in the first plurality of lightredirecting elements being vertically and horizontally offset from eachlight redirecting element in the second plurality of light redirectingelements.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an embodiment of single light redirecting memberthat can be used in connectors useful for vertically staggered opticalwaveguide arrays. Light redirecting member 800 has an input side thatreceives light from first optical waveguide 804 disposed and aligned atfirst waveguide alignment member 814 at first input location 824 andsecond optical waveguide 806 disposed and aligned at second waveguidealignment member 816 at second input location 826. Second input location826 is vertically offset from first input location 824. Light from firstoptical waveguide 804 and second optical waveguide 806 follow theillustrated paths through light redirecting 800 until they hit firstredirecting locations 834 and 836 on the light redirecting side of thesingle light redirecting member respectively. The light is thenreflected to follow different paths so that the light originally fromfirst optical waveguide 804 winds up at first output location 844 andthe light originally from second optical waveguide 806 winds up at asecond output location 846. Single light redirecting member 800 caninclude a first optical element with a first curved surface 854 and/or asecond optical element with a second curved surface 856 coupled to lightfrom first output location 844 and second output location 846respectively. The first and second optical elements with first curvedsurface 854 and second curved surface 856 can focus, collimate, ordiverge the light coming from the respective output locations.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a cross-section of an embodiment ofvertically-staggered optical waveguides that can utilize a single lightredirecting member. In this illustration, four staggered first opticalwaveguides 904 a-d are received, aligned, and permanently affixed tofirst waveguide alignment member 914. First waveguide alignment member914 as shown has four grooves 915 a-d for receiving, aligning, andpermanently affixing first optical waveguides 604 a-d respectively. Eachfirst staggered optical waveguide 904 a-d has a core diameter. In theillustrated embodiment two first staggered optical waveguides 904 a and904 b are vertically (and horizontally) displaced from other opticalwaveguides 904 c and 904 d in a hexagonal closest packing arrangementbased upon the maximum beam widths before overlap. It is contemplatedthat other geometrical arrangements that include vertical stacking arealso within the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, a connector is provided that includes a secondwaveguide alignment member that can be vertically offset from the firstwaveguide alignment member for receiving and aligning at least onesecond optical waveguide. In these embodiments, the input side of thefirst light redirecting member can receive input light from a firstoptical waveguide disposed and aligned at the first waveguide alignmentmember at a first location on the input side, and a second opticalwaveguide disposed and aligned at the second waveguide alignment memberat a different second location on the input side, the second locationbeing vertically offset from the first location. The light redirectingside of the first light redirecting member can receive light from thefirst location on the input side at a first location on the lightredirecting side, and the second location on the input side at adifferent second location on the light redirecting side. The output sideof the first light redirecting member can receive light from the firstlocation on the light redirecting side and can transmit the receivedlight as output light from a first location on the output side, and thesecond location on the light redirecting side and can transmit thereceived light as output light from a different second location on theoutput side. In some embodiments, a connector is provided wherein thesecond location on the input side can be vertically offset from thefirst location on the input side. In other embodiments, a connector isprovided wherein the second location on the light redirecting side canbe vertically and horizontally offset from the first location on thelight redirecting side. In some embodiments, a connector is providedwherein the second location on the output side can be horizontallyoffset from the first location on the output side. In some embodiments,a connector is provided wherein the light redirecting side of the firstlight redirecting member can include features at at least one of thefirst and second locations on the light redirecting side so that theoutput lights from the first and second locations on the output side aresubstantially collimated, have a same divergence angle, or have a sameconvergence angle. The features can include reflective lenses. In someembodiments, the first and second waveguide alignment members, the firstand second light redirecting member and the first and secondregistration features can be a unitary construction.

In some embodiments, a first light block can be vertically offset from asecond light block, so that when the connector is not mated with amating connector, light exiting the output side of the first lightredirecting member can be blocked by the first light block and lightexiting the output side of the second light redirecting member can beblocked by the second light block.

In some embodiments where the first waveguide alignment member comprisesa first plurality of waveguide alignment elements and the secondwaveguide alignment member comprises a second plurality of waveguidealignment elements, each waveguide alignment element in the firstplurality of waveguide alignment elements can be configured to receiveand align a different first optical waveguide, each waveguide alignmentelement in the second plurality of waveguide alignment elements can beconfigured to receive and align a different second optical waveguide.Each waveguide alignment element in the first plurality of waveguidealignment elements can be vertically and horizontally offset from eachwaveguide alignment element in the second plurality of waveguidealignment elements. In some embodiments, each light redirecting elementin the first plurality of light redirecting elements can correspond to adifferent first optical waveguide received and aligned at the firstwaveguide alignment member and each light redirecting element in thesecond plurality of light redirecting elements can correspond to adifferent second optical waveguide received and aligned at the secondwaveguide alignment member. Each light redirecting element in the firstplurality of light redirecting elements can be vertically andhorizontally offset from each light redirecting element in the secondplurality of light redirecting elements.

In some embodiments, any connector disclosed herein, is configured tomate with a similar connector. In some embodiments, any connectordisclosed herein, is hermaphroditic meaning it is configured to matewith itself.

Following are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Item 1 is a connector comprising:

a housing comprising a first attachment area for receiving andpermanently attaching to a plurality of optical waveguides; and

a light coupling unit disposed in and configured to move within thehousing and comprising:

-   -   a second attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching        to a plurality of optical waveguides received and permanently        attached at the first attachment area; and    -   a plurality of curved surfaces, each curved surface        corresponding to a different optical waveguide in a plurality of        optical waveguides received and permanently attached at the        first and second attachment areas, the optical waveguide having        a first core diameter, the curved surface being configured to        change a divergence of light from the optical waveguide such        that light from the optical waveguide exits the connector along        an exit direction different than a mating direction of the        connector, the exiting light having a second diameter greater        than the first core diameter, the connector being configured so        that when the connector mates with a mating connector in a        mating direction, the light coupling unit rotates causing the        optical waveguide to bend.

Item 2 is the connector of item 1, wherein an optical waveguide receivedand permanently attached to the first and second attachment areas isbent between the two attachment areas, and wherein when the connectormates with a mating connector, the light coupling unit rotates causingthe optical waveguide to further bend.

Item 3 is the connector of item 1, wherein the light coupling unitrotates about an axis that changes position as the light coupling unitrotates.

Item 4 is the connector of item 1, wherein when the light coupling unitrotates, it also moves linearly.

Item 5 is the connector of item 1 being configured so that when theconnector mates with the mating connector, the light coupling unitrotates about an axis that does not tilt during rotation.

Item 6 is the connector of item 1, wherein light from the opticalwaveguide exits the light coupling unit in an exit direction differentthan the connector mating direction.

Item 7 is the connector of item 1, wherein the first attachment areadefines a plurality of through holes, each through hole being configuredto accommodate a different optical waveguide in a plurality of opticalwaveguides received at the first attachment area, the optical waveguidebeing attached to the first attachment area at the through hole.

Item 8 is the connector of item 1, wherein the first attachment areacomprises a plurality of grooves, each groove being configured toaccommodate a different optical waveguide in a plurality of opticalwaveguides received at the first attachment area, the optical waveguidebeing attached to the first attachment area at the groove.

Item 9 is the connector of item 1, wherein the first attachment areacomprises one or more alignment features for receiving and permanentlyattaching to a plurality of optical waveguides integrated onto a commonsubstrate.

Item 10 is the connector of item 1, wherein the first attachment areapermanently attaches to a plurality of optical waveguides via anadhesive.

Item 11 is the connector of item 1, wherein the second attachment areacomprises a plurality of grooves, each groove being configured toaccommodate a different optical waveguide in a plurality of opticalwaveguides received and permanently attached to at the first attachmentarea, the optical waveguide being attached to the second attachment areaat the groove.

Item 12 is the connector of item 1, wherein the second attachment areacomprises a plurality of through holes, each through hole beingconfigured to accommodate a different optical waveguide in a pluralityof optical waveguides received and permanently attached to at the firstattachment area, the optical waveguide being bonded to the secondattachment area at the through hole.

Item 13 is the connector of item 1, wherein the second attachment areacomprises one or more alignment features for receiving and permanentlyattaching to a plurality of optical waveguides received and permanentlyattached to at the first attachment area, the optical waveguides in theplurality of optical waveguides being integrated onto a commonsubstrate.

Item 14 is the connector of item 1, wherein the second attachment areapermanently attaches to a plurality of optical waveguides received andpermanently attached to at the first attachment area via an adhesive.

Item 15 is the connector of item 1, wherein an optical waveguidepermanently attached at the first and second attachment areas is bentbetween the two attachment areas in a plane formed by the matingdirection and the direction of light exiting from the light couplingunit.

Item 16 is the connector of item 1, wherein an optical waveguidepermanently attached at the first and second attachment areas is bentbetween the two attachment areas in a plane perpendicular to the axisaround which the optical coupling unit rotates during mating.

Item 17 is the connector of item 1 being configured to receive aplurality of optical waveguides, each optical waveguide comprising anoptical fiber.

Item 18 is the connector of item 1, wherein the light coupling unit is aunitary construction.

Item 19 is the connector of item 1, wherein each curved surface in theplurality of curved surfaces comprises a curved mirror.

Item 20 is the connector of item 1, wherein each curved surface in theplurality of curved surfaces comprises a light reflecting lens.

Item 21 is the connector of item 1, wherein each curved surface in theplurality of curved surfaces comprises a light transmitting lens.

Item 22 is the connector of item 1, wherein each curved surface in theplurality of curved surfaces is configured to collimate light from anoptical waveguide corresponding to the curved surface.

Item 23 is the connector of item 1, wherein when the connector mateswith a mating connector, the light coupling unit rotates at least 0.5degrees.

Item 24 is the connector of item 1, wherein when the connector mateswith a mating connector, the light coupling unit rotates at least 2degrees.

Item 25 is the connector of item 1, wherein when the connector mateswith a mating connector, the light coupling unit rotates at most 90degrees.

Item 26 is the connector of item 1, wherein an optical waveguidepermanently attached at the first and second attachment areas is bentbetween the two attachment areas in a plane perpendicular to a movingaxis around which the optical coupling unit rotates during mating.

Item 27 is the connector of item 1, wherein a ratio of the seconddiameter to the first core diameter is at least 2.

Item 28 is the connector of item 1, wherein a ratio of the seconddiameter to the first core diameter is at least 3.7.

Item 29 is the connector of item 1, wherein a ratio of the seconddiameter to the first core diameter is at least 6.

Item 30 is the connector of item 1 being configured so that when theconnector mates with a mating connector, the light coupling unit rotateswithin the housing by making contact with a corresponding light couplingunit of the mating connector.

Item 31 is the connector of item 30, wherein when the light couplingunit rotates, the corresponding light coupling unit of the matingconnector does not move.

Item 32 is the connector of item 30, wherein when the light couplingunit rotates, the corresponding light coupling unit of the matingconnector also rotates.

Item 33 is the connector of item 1, wherein when the connector mateswith a mating connector, segments of the optical waveguides of the twoconnectors which are attached to the respective second attachment areasof the optical coupling units lie in a same plane.

Item 34 is the connector of item 33, wherein when the connector having afirst plurality of optical waveguides attached to a first light couplingunit mates with a mating connector having a second plurality of opticalwaveguides attached to a second light coupling unit, the segments of thefirst and second pluralities of optical waveguides attached to the firstand second coupling units lie in a same plane.

Item 35 is the connector of item 33, wherein when the connector having afirst plurality of optical waveguides attached to a first light couplingunit mates with a mating connector having a second plurality of opticalwaveguides attached to a second light coupling unit, the segments of thefirst plurality of optical waveguides attached to the first lightcoupling unit lie in a first plane and the segments of the secondplurality of optical waveguides attached to the second light couplingunit lie in a second plane that is parallel to and offset from the firstplane.

Item 36 is the connector of item 1, wherein the second attachment areais disposed between the first attachment area and the plurality ofcurved surfaces.

Item 37 is the connector of item 1, wherein when an optical waveguide isreceived and permanently attached at the first and second attachmentareas, the optical waveguide is under a first bending force and when theconnector mates with a mating connector, the optical waveguide is undera second bending force greater than the first bending force.

Item 38 is the connector of item 37, wherein the first bending force issubstantially zero.

Item 39 is the connector of item 37, wherein the second bending forcemaintains the mating between the connector and the mating connector.

Item 40 is the connector of item 1, wherein the light coupling unitfurther comprises a light redirecting member comprising:

-   -   an input side for receiving input light from an optical        waveguide received and permanently attached at the first and        second attachment areas;    -   a light redirecting side for receiving light from the input side        of the light redirecting member in an input direction and        redirecting the received light in a different redirected        direction; and    -   an output side for receiving light from the light redirecting        side and transmitting the received light as output light in an        output direction.

Item 41 is the connector of item 40, wherein the light redirectingmember has an index of refraction greater than one between the input andoutput sides.

Item 42 is the connector of item 40, wherein each curved surface in theplurality of curved surfaces is disposed on the input side, the lightredirecting side, or the output side of the light redirecting member.

Item 43 is the connector of item 40, wherein the light redirectingmember and the plurality of curved surfaces form a unitary construction.

Item 44 is the connector of item 40, wherein the light coupling unit isa unitary construction.

Item 45 is the connector of item 40, wherein the input direction isdifferent from the mating direction.

Item 46 is the connector of item 40, wherein the redirected direction isdifferent from the mating direction.

Item 47 is the connector of item 40, wherein the output direction isdifferent from the mating direction.

Item 48 is the connector of item 40 being configured so that the inputside receives input light from a first optical waveguide received andpermanently attached at the first and second attachment areas at a firstlocation on the input side and receives input light from a secondoptical waveguide received and permanently attached at the first andsecond attachment areas at a second location on the input sidevertically offset from the first location,

the light redirecting side receives light from the first location on theinput side at a first location on the light redirecting side andreceives light from the second location on the input side at a secondlocation on the light redirecting side vertically and horizontallyoffset from the first location on the light redirecting side, andthe output side receives light from the first location on the lightredirecting side and transmits the received light as output light from afirst location on the output side and receives light from the secondlocation on the light redirecting side and transmits the received lightas output light from a second location on the output side horizontallyoffset from the first location on the output side.

Item 49 is the connector of item 40, wherein the output side comprisesan anti-reflection coating disposed thereon.

Item 50 is the connector of item 40, wherein the light redirectingmember redirects light by total internal reflection.

Item 51 is a cable assembly comprising:

the connector of item 40; and

a plurality of optical waveguides received and permanently attached tothe first and second attachment areas.

Item 52 is the cable assembly of item 51, wherein an index matchingmaterial optically couples at least one optical waveguide in theplurality of optical waveguides to the input side of the lightredirecting member.

Item 53 is the connector of item 1, wherein the housing furtherincludes:

a first support for bending an optical waveguide received andpermanently attached at the first and second attachment areas, such thatwhen the connector mates with a mating connector, the optical waveguidefurther bends causing the optical waveguide to move away from the firstsupport.

Item 54 is the connector of item 53, further comprising a second supportdisposed between the first attachment area and the first support forsupporting, but not being permanently attached to, an optical waveguidereceived and permanently attached to at the first and second attachmentareas.

Item 55 is the connector of item 53, wherein as the connector mates witha mating connector, the optical waveguide first undergoes a firstadditional bend resulting in the optical waveguide separating from thesecond support and then a second additional bend resulting in theoptical waveguide separating from the first support.

Item 56 is the connector of item 1, wherein the light coupling unitfurther comprises a tongue portion having a tapering width along atleast a portion of a length of the tongue portion and extendingoutwardly from the light coupling unit, such that when the connectormoves toward the mating connector, the tongue portion is guided in acorresponding tongue recess of the mating connector in such a way that amisalignment between the two connectors is corrected.

Item 57 is the connector of item 56, wherein when the connector movestoward the mating connector, the tongue portion is guided in the tonguerecess of the mating connector in such a way that a lateral misalignmentbetween the two connectors is corrected.

Item 58 is the connector of item 56, wherein when the connector movestoward the mating connector, a first contact between the connector andthe mating connector is between the tongue portion of the connector andthe tongue recess of the mating connector.

Item 59 is the connector of item 1 being configured to mate with anotherconnector of item 1.

Item 60 is the connector of item 1 being hermaphroditic.

Item 61 is a connector comprising:

a housing comprising an input attachment area for receiving andpermanently attaching to a plurality of optical waveguides;

a lower light coupling unit disposed in and configured to move withinthe housing and comprising:

-   -   a lower attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching        to a plurality of optical waveguides received and permanently        attached at the input attachment area; and    -   a plurality of lower curved surfaces, each lower curved surface        corresponding to a different optical waveguide in a plurality of        optical waveguides received and permanently attached at the        lower attachment area; and        an upper light coupling unit disposed in the housing vertically        offset from the lower light coupling unit and configured to move        within the housing and comprising:    -   an upper attachment area for receiving and permanently attaching        to a plurality of optical waveguides received and permanently        attached at the input attachment area; and    -   a plurality of upper curved surfaces, each upper curved surface        corresponding to a different optical waveguide in a plurality of        optical waveguides received and permanently attached at the        upper attachment area, each curved surface in the pluralities of        lower and upper curved surfaces being configured to change a        divergence of light from the optical waveguide corresponding to        the curved surface, the optical waveguide having a first core        diameter, such that light from the optical waveguide exits the        connector along an exit direction different than a mating        direction of the connector, the exiting light having a second        diameter greater than the first core diameter, the connector        being configured so that when the connector mates with a mating        connector in a mating direction, each of the lower and upper        light coupling units rotates causing any optical waveguide        received and permanently attached at the input attachment area        and the lower or upper attachment area to bend.

Item 62 is the connector of item 61, wherein the input attachment areacomprises:

a lower input attachment area corresponding to the lower attachment areaof the lower light coupling unit, the connector being configured so thatwhen an optical waveguide is received and permanently attached to at thelower input attachment area, the optical waveguide is also received andpermanently attached to at the lower attachment area of the lower lightcoupling unit; and

an upper input attachment area corresponding to the upper attachmentarea of the upper light coupling unit, the connector being configured sothat when an optical waveguide is received and permanently attached toat the upper input attachment area, the optical waveguide is alsoreceived and permanently attached to at the upper attachment area of theupper light coupling unit.

Item 63 is a cable assembly comprising:

the connector of item 62;

a lower plurality of optical waveguides received and attached at thelower input attachment area and the lower attachment area of the lowerlight coupling unit; and

an upper plurality of optical waveguides received and attached at theupper input attachment area and the upper attachment area of the upperlight coupling unit, the cable assembly being configured so that whenthe connector mates with a mating connector in a mating direction, eachof the lower and upper light coupling units rotates causing each opticalwaveguide in the lower and upper pluralities of optical waveguides tobend.

Item 64 is the connector of item 61, wherein the lower light couplingunits further comprises:

a lower light redirecting member comprising:

-   -   an input side for receiving input light from an optical        waveguide received and permanently attached at the input and        lower attachment areas;    -   a light redirecting side for receiving light from the input side        of the light redirecting member in an input direction and        redirecting the received light in a different redirected        direction; and    -   an output side for receiving light from the light redirecting        side and transmitting the received light as output light in an        output direction; and        an upper light redirecting member vertically offset from the        lower light redirecting member and comprising:    -   an input side for receiving input light from an optical        waveguide received and permanently attached at the input and        upper attachment areas;    -   a light redirecting side for receiving light from the input side        of the light redirecting member in an input direction and        redirecting the received light in a different redirected        direction; and    -   an output side for receiving light from the light redirecting        side and transmitting the received light as output light in an        output direction.

Item 65 is the connector of item 61, wherein each of the lower and upperlight coupling units is a unitary construction.

Item 66 is the connector of item 61, wherein the lower light couplingunit further comprises a lower light block and the upper light couplingunit further comprises an upper light block, such that when theconnector is not mated with a mating connector, the lower light blockblocks light light exiting the connector from the lower light couplingunit and the upper light block blocks light exiting the connector fromthe upper light coupling unit.

All references and publications cited herein are expressly incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety into this disclosure, except tothe extent they may directly contradict this disclosure. Althoughspecific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it willbe appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety ofalternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for thespecific embodiments shown and described without departing from thescope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to coverany adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussedherein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited onlyby the claims and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A light coupling unit comprising an attachmentarea for receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of opticalwaveguides and a light redirecting member such that light from theplurality of optical waveguides enters the light coupling unit from aninput side of the light coupling unit, is redirected by the lightredirecting member, and exits the light coupling unit through one ormore optical lenses disposed at an output side of the light couplingunit along a direction different than a mating direction of the lightcoupling unit, such that during a mating between the light coupling unitand a mating light coupling unit that comprises a mating attachment areafor receiving and permanently attaching to a plurality of mating opticalwaveguides, the light coupling unit slides against the mating lightcoupling unit and when mated, the attachment area and the matingattachment lie in a same plane.
 2. The light coupling unit of claim 1,wherein during the mating between the light coupling unit and the matinglight coupling unit, the light coupling unit rotates.
 3. The lightcoupling unit of claim 2, wherein the light coupling unit rotates aboutan axis that does not tilt during the rotation of the light couplingunit.
 4. The light coupling unit of claim 1 further comprising theplurality optical waveguides received and permanent attached to theattachment area of the light coupling unit.
 5. The light coupling unitof claim 1 having a unitary construction.